Why So Sad? x Actions REALized Premiere Photos

1/15/2020

For the last three years we've been fundraising to help drive work in mental health. This year the project is called Why So Sad? The question "why so sad?" is fundamental for us as we start to dig in and begin the therapeutic process of observing and understanding our own emotional triggers. So far, the project has raised money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health, Grassroots Suicide Prevention and research at Johns Hopkins University. Now, in partnership with REAL Skateboards, we're going to be supporting The Ben Raemers Foundation, which has been set up to raise awareness around the tools and skills of mental health first aid and to destigmatize the subject of mental health and suicide. Our hope to help more of us open up and find help when we need it. Let's keep learning while pushing the conversation, and keep looking out for each other. —John Rattray

Photos and captions by Joe Brook

It was an incredibly wholesome scene. Skaters down for the cause, congregating by a bowl for an art show, video premiere and, of course, a jam Photo: Kurt Hayashi

Always good to start off the night by seeing Thrasher's own Ewan Bowman and the man of the hour, John Rattray

Starting off, Daniel Evans helped by making the stickers for the event. Hit him up for your sticker needs—@havelovewilltravel.co

The Trippe family pitches in during setup. Maybe this could reincarnate Fecal Face 2.0 in Portland?

The QR codes made it through the final R and D test—high tech!

On the way in, attendees were treated to a wall of sad plant prints that surely put some smiles on their faces. All photos are up for auction and proceeds go to The Ben Raemers Foundation

If you’re feeling left out, don’t worry. Prints of the photos—like this here proper plant— are available for auction here

The Predatory Bird’s mission overview looks good to go

312 “skateboard egg plants” in one hour certified via Guinness—hella valid

If you’re looking to brighten your day, just pick up some Why So Sad? x Actions REALized merch at your favorite skate shop

Now get ready for the who’s who part of the night!

Seeing all my friends makes me a little happier! John Rattray, Kurt Hayashi, Ewan Bowman, Justin Brock and Christian Alexander

Mackenzie Moss and Cody Lockwood in his trademark full-brim hat

Always down for a cause, Lindsay Jo Holmes from Maple XO and friend Johannah Zuniga

Sick Boys video stars, Bryce Kanights and Jim Thiebaud, reunite

Kelly Bird, Lance Mountain and John Rattray take a break from discussing the subtleties involved in the perfect sad plant

Northwest masterlensman, Jon Humphries along with his wife Cel and Justin Brock

The Kimbels were stoked and warm inside

The official campaign judge, Lance Mountain and Kurt Hayashi

The tallest and nicest dudes in the house: Jess Mudgett, Aesop Rock, Kaspar van Lierop and Willis Kimbel

One of the most creative cohorts in skateboarding: Joey Martin of Collective Concrete, Chelsea Cowan, George Rocha of Iris Skateboards and John Morgan—aka Seaside John

Can’t stop The Firm reunion—Lance Mountain and Joe Gruber

Ryan Bobier, Austin Dal Molin and Kaspar van Lierop showing off the goods

SF locs were aplenty. Jake Palu and Chris Johanson

Moose Huerta and Ben Wall were in high spirits

Always a pleasure when you get Joey and Marilu Pepper on the scene

Copper of dope merch, Carter Donnell and Ian Bavitz—aka Aesop Rock

Grant and Lilly Taylor came through with their southern charm

DLX past and present: Christian Alexander and Mickey Reyes of Cat’s Paw Saloon

Ultimate Phil and son Silas always make the PDX blog

Jim Thiebaud dressed up for the occasion by omitting the black nail polish. All the better for pointing to a real one, Sarah Connelly

The skateboarding family never stops growing. It looks like the Bird family is growing too

Can’t have too many smiling faces. Kaylee Bullan and Zack Wiegand drove from Redding, CA, to attend

Arthur Lindsey and Kerry Flynn not looking the least bit sad

Mat O’Brien, Tiff Harker and Brent Atchley—who still has the lightest feet in the PNW

On double-duty, John Rattray emceed the talk and video portion of the night

Oh, look who made the cut! John Rattray lights up the silver screen

Rattray’s moving speech on suicide awareness and prevention was well received

It’s important that we all get a little bit closer these days, so we all got packed in like sardines

After we got cozy, it was time to burn down the bowl

A high-speed doubles run is always a good way to heat things up in the bowl

Frank Shaw was the first person I saw get the good kind of sad

Then Andrew Adams tried to get the Lance stamp of approval on his sad plant

Hunter Okano—not Hunter Muraira—with a Madonna

Frank Shaw lets the front foot breathe on a frontside invert

Cody Lockwood goes fly fishing

Willis looks into the deep end while holding on tight to an Andrecht

Full-speed grind on the pool coping, Kaylee Bullan gets hers

GT was like a runaway train skating the bowl—unstoppable

Nick Peterson smashes a lien melon to disaster with a broken collarbone

Even more doubles! Willis and Ari Landon doing the ol’ over-and-under routine

GT sent it to the rafters just before leaving the bowl in cinders!

Huge thanks to REAL Skateboards, Nike SB, The Bodecker Foundation and Thrasher for helping make a positive and great event for the launch. Check out the video, grab a board from your local skateshop, sign up for mental health first aid training.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please check out these resources:

USA:

National Crisis Line: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

UK:

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/

Calmzone: https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Global list of resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

A ton of information about training in the US can be found on the National Council for Behavioral Health website: https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/

Also at the QPR Institute: https://qprinstitute.com/individual-training

In the UK at SAMH in Scotland: https://www.samh.org.uk/